Dipping and drying apparatus



Aug.`25, 1925. J. H. DEAN ET AL DIPPING AND DRYING APPARATUS Filed Dec.11. 1922 Aug. z5, 1925.

J. H. DEAN ET 'AL DIPPI'NG AND 'DRYING APPARTUS v Filed Dc. 1 1, 1922 4sheets-sheet 2 J. H.DEAN ET AL DIPPING AND DRYING, APPARATUS( Aug. 25,1925 4 Sheets- Sheet '5.

Filed Dec, 11. 1922 AuggZs, 1925.

^ 5"'J. H. DEAN ET AL "DTPPING AND DRYINQ APPARATUS Filedbec. 11. 192x 4Sheets-Sheet 4 CII Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. DEAN, OF LUDINGION, MICHIGAN, AND GEORGE W'. BAKER, OFJEANNETTE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO NORTHWESTERN EXPANDED METALCOMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DIPPING AND DRYING APPARATUS.

Application filed December 11, 1922.

To all fio/tom it may concern:

Be it kno wn that we, JAMES H. DEAN and GEORGE IV. BAKER, citizens ofthe United States, and residents of Ludington, Michigan, and Jeannette,Pennsylvania, respectively, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Dipping and Drying Apparatus; and we do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dipping and drying apparatusand consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

A primary object of the invention is to produce an apparatus of the kindin which several dipping vats are included, and by means of which thearticles to be dipped may be inserted into one or another vat aspredetermined. The improved apparatus, as shown herein for illustration,is especially designed for painting purposes and more particularly forpainting expanded metal lath, which is put up in bundles of a size forconvenient handling. In some cases the lath is required to be coatedwith black paint and in some cases, with red paint. The apparatus thusincludes two vats, one containing black paint and one containing redpaint. Said apparatus also includes a conveyor, which is adapted tobring the articles carried by it, namely, the bundles of lath, intodipping relation with one of the vats and to then carry them away inavoidance of the other vat, and a switch member which is adapted toshift the relation of the conveyor and the vats, as predetermined, tothis end. v

In apparatus of the kind, the dipping media may require differentlengths of time for their action on the articles dipped, (as forexample, black paint requires less time to dry than red paint) and itmay, therefore, be necessary that the conveyor be driven at differentspeeds for different vats on its way after it leaves the vat, (as in itspassage through the drying chamber in the case where a paint is thedipping medium). Another object of the invention is therefore to providemeans for changing the speed of the Serial No. 606,048.

conveyor in association with the change of relation between the conveyorand the vats.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel switchmechanism for bringing about the change of relation between the conveyorand the different vats.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appearfully as we proceed with our specification.

In the drawings Fig. l is a view representing a side elevation of theimproved dipping and drying apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a view Arepresenting on an enlarged scale a side elevation(partially in longitudinal section) of the part of the apparatusadjacent to the loading end.

Fig. 3 is a detail view on a still larger scale showing a partialsection through Fig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts shown in a diiferentrelation.

Fig. 5 is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing a partial sectionthrough Fig. 4 in a plane indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view representing a transverse section through the apparatusin a plane indicated by the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail view representing on an enlarged scale a partialsection through Fig. 6 in a plane indicated by the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view representing a side elevation of the apparatus at theunloading end.

Fig. 9 is a view representing a side elevation of the frame of theswitch member of the conveyor.

Fig. l0 is a view showing on an enlarged scale a partial section throughFig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line l0 10 thereof.

Fig. 1l is a view showing on an enlarged scale a partial section throughFig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line 1l 1l thereof.

Referring now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in thedrawings: l5 indicates an elongated casing which provides an enclosedcompartment of considerable length and which constitutes the dryingchamber of the apparatus. Said casing is preferably made of sheet metalwith suitable metal uprights and crossA members to properly brace andsupport it. 16 indicates an endless conveyor extending from end to endof the apparat-us, (which as a. whole, is somewhat longer than thedrying chamber) and having a bottom lap 19, which passes from theloading end of the apparatus through the drying chamber 15 to theunloading end, and a top or return lap 20, which passes above the dryingchamber and is supported on top of the structure on its way back to theloading end.

17, 18 indicate two vats arranged in tandem and located below theconveyor at or near the loading end of the apparatus and in advance ofthe forward end of the drying chamber.

The drying chamber is open at each end and means is provided forproducing a continuous current of fresh air through the chamber tofacilitate the drying process in a familiar manner. In the exampleillustrated, said current of air is produced by means of a suction fan21 actuated by a motor 22, located intermediate the ends of the dryingchamber and arranged to draw in air through the open ends of the chambertowards its middle and to discharge said air through a conduit 23leading to a stack, not shown.

The conveyor consists of parallel, laterally spaced sprocket chains 24,24 connected transversely by a series of parallel, longitudinally spacedrods 25 at the pivoted link ends of the chains. Each rod projects beyondthe chains and its projecting ends carry anti-friction, bearing rollers26. The upper and lower laps of the conveyor are supported on tracks 27,271 respectively, with which said rollers engage,-said tracks beingconveniently provided, as shown in the drawings, by the horizontalflanges of longitudinally extending angle bars 27 which are suitablysupported by the structural framework of the apparatus. The end loops ofthe conveyor are engaged and supported upon sprocket wheels 28, 28,located at the loading end of the apparatus and upon sprocket wheels 29,29, located at the unloading end of the apparatus. 30 indicates a shaftupon which the sprocket wheels 28 are keyed and 31 indicates a shaftupon which the sprocket wheels 29 are keyed.

The tracks 27 a for the top lap of the conveyor extend the full lengthof the apparatus from the sprocket wheels 28 to the sprocket wheels 29.The tracks 27b for the bottom lap of the conveyor extend from thesprocket wheels 29 at the unloading end of the conveyor through thedrying chamber 15, but terminate short of the sprocket wheels 28 at theloading end of the apparatua-leaving a gap or space above the vats 17,18. rllhis gap in the support for the bottom lap of the conveyor isfilled by means of an angular rocking frame or switch member 32 which ispivoted on a horizontal axis 32L located in the plane of the tracks 27 band vertically above a. line midway between the centers of the two vats17, 18.

The rocking frame 32 is a structure comprising members 33, 34, of equallength arranged at an angle, carrying tracks 33a, 34 respectively, inplanes which intersect at or near the rocking axis of the said frame 32;and carrying sprocket wheels 35, 36 at their ends, with the bottoms ofthe sprocket wheels arranged tangentially to said tracks. The bottom lapof the conveyor passes from the forward ends of the tracks 27n to andunder the sprocket wheels 36 at the rear end of the rocking frame 32,thence over the tracks 34a, 33, to and under the sprocket wheels 35 atthe forward end of the rocking frame, and thence to the sprocket wheels29 at the unloading end of the apparatus. Idle sprocket wheels 38 areinterposed and engaged above the sprocket chains intermediate theposition of the rocking frame and the sprocket wheels 28, the bottoms ofsaid idle sprocket wheels being arranged tangentially to the plane ofthe tracks 27 b, which support the bottom lap of the conveyor.

The rocking switch member, with its tracks and sprocket wheels providingsupport for the conveyor in the gap between the tracks 27 b and thesprocket wheels 28 at the loading end of the apparatus, makes itpossible to provide selectively, a pathway for the conveyor whichdescends below and then returns to the plane of the tracks 27b(supporting the lower lap of the conveyor) so that the conveyor willbring the articles or devices carried by it for dipping purposes downinto, and then draw them back out of the vat 18, as shown in Fig. 2, orthe vat 17, as shown in Fig. 4. The end walls 18a, 18b and 17a, 17 b ofthe vats are inclined at angles to a horizontal plane equal to orsupplemental of the angle between the members 33, 34 of the rockingswitch 32, so that they are parallel to the pathway of the conveyor onits descending and ascending courses with reference to said vats.

The rocking switch member may be of any convenient construction. Asshown, it consists of two laterally spaced, transverse iron or steelbeams, each comprising vertically spaced angle bars 39, 40, connected bywebsor plates 41,-the two beams being held in proper spaced relation bytransverse bars 42. The bottom angle bars 40 have their flanges turnedinwardly towards each other to provide the trackways 34, 33, of theswitch member. At the angle of the switch member and coaxial with theaxis 3f about which the switch member is adapted to swing, there isfixed to the outside face of each beam a gear wheel 43 provided with astud 44, which has rotative bearing in suitably formed bearing boxes 45carried by upright frame members 46 of the structure.

This provides the rocking bearing for the switch member 32. 47 indicatesa horizontal transverse shaft, located above the gear wheels 43 andextending through slots in the side beams of the switch member. Saidshaft is mounted in suitable bearings in the upright frame members 46and has fixed to it pinions 49, 49, which are located in the planes ofand are engaged with, the gear wheels 43. Thus, when the shaft 47 isrotated, it will act through the pinions 49 and the gear wheels 43 torock the switch member 32 upon its axis 32a.

The shaft 47 projects at one end beyond the supporting upright 46 and isthere provided with a crank 50. A ratchet wheel 51 fixed to the shaftand a pawl 52 pivoted to the framework provides means for locking theratchet wheel, and in consequence, the rocking switch member, in thedesired position. The pawl is a double pawl, made as shown, in the formof a T, so that it may be swung to properly engage the ratchet wheel 51when it is rotated in either direction.

A space is left between the forward ends of the tracks 27b and the rearends of the tracks 33a of the switch member 32, in order that there maybe room for the conveyor to take a pathway from the rear vat 17,parallel to the rear wall 17h of said vat, when the switch member is inthe position shown in Fig. 4. To support the conveyor in this space, ineither position of the switch member, it is preferable to provide asupplemental switch section 53. This consists, as shown, of a pair oflaterally spaced angle bars 54, 54, providing supplemental tracksections 54aL and connected by a transverse channel bar 55, whichprojects at each end beyond said angle bars.

The supplemental switch section is pivoted at its rear end to swing froma horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2, to an inclined positionparallel to the wall 17 b of the rear vat 17, as shown in Fig. 4. Theangle bars 54 have plates 56 fixed to their rear ends; and a transverseframe member 57 extending across the main structure above the rear endsof the tracks 27b has attached to it depending brackets 58 provided withstuds or trunnions 58a on which said plates 56 are rotatively mounted.At each side of the main structure, beyond the sides of the supplementalswitch section 53, there are provided fixed, inclined frame members 59,which the ends of the channel bar 55 are adapted to engage and restupon, when the supplemental switch section is brought to its inclinedposition.

The rear ends of the beams of the rocking switch member carry fixedplates 60, (see Figs. 2 and 11) one on the outside of each side beam.Said plates depend below the tracks 332L of the switch member and therecarry bolts 61 with y nut heads, which are adapted to be engaged in thevertical flanges of angle bars 62 fixed tothe bottom sides of theforward ends of the angle bars 54 of the supplemental switch section.This provides means for supporting the forward end of the supplementalswitch section when it is in its horizontal position. When the saidsupplemental section is in its inclined position with the channel bar 55engaged upon the inclined frame members 59, it is attached thereto inany suitable manner, as for example, by means of boltsl and fly nuts59aM (see Fig. 5) which take through suitable holes in the two membersadapted to be brought into alignment when the said section is brought toinclined position.

The conveyor is driven by a motor 63, located as shown, at the unloadingend of the apparatus. Said motor is connected by a worm gear set 64 andsuitable reduction gearing 65 to drive the shaft 31 of the sprocketwheels 29. Since the time required for drying the paint in the vats 17,18, may vary, (as for example, where the vat 18 contains black paintwhich is a fast drying paint, and the vat 17 contains red paint which isa slow drying paint) it is desirable to provide means for changing thespeed of the conveyor when the switch member is shifted from associationwith the vat 18 to a position where it is associated with the vat 17.Change speed gearing 67 is therefore interposed between the motor shaftand the worm gear set. 68 indicates a gear shift arm pivoted to the mainframe and adapted to shift the gears, and said arm is preferablyconnected to the rocking switch member so that the change speed gearingwill be shifted automatically when the rocking switch member is movedfrom its one position associated with one vat, to its other positionassociated with the other vat. As shown, said gear shift arm isconnected by a long link 68a to an arm 69 fixed to the rocking switchmember.

A movable drip board 70 is provided to cover the one or the other of thevats which is not in use. This board is movable from a position coveringthe vat 17, as sho-wn in Fig. 2, wherein the vat 18 is shown to be inuse, t0 a position covering the vat 18, as shown in Fig. 4, where thevat 17 is shown to, be in use. A supplemental drip board 71 is alsoprovided, said drip board extending from the rear end of the vat 17 somedistance beyond the same, and is intended to catch the drip in the firstpart of the path of the conveyor through the drying chamber.

The sprocket wheel shaft 30 of the sprocket wheels 28 at the unloadingend. of the machine, are mounted in such manner as to be capable ofadjustment to take up the slack in the sprocket chains. The shaft 38l ofthe idle sprocket wheels 3S are likewise mounted for such adjustment, asillustrated.

72 indicates the articles or devices that are to be dipped, and 73 therods which serve to support said devices upon the conveyor. Said rodshave hooked ends,vthose at the top, 73a, being engaged upon thetransverse rods 25 ot the conveyor, and those at the bottom.v 73D, beingengaged with the articles to be dipped. As shown, these articles arebundles of expanded lath, lior the dipping and drying of which theapparatus is more particularly designed.

The operation of the ii'nproved apparat-us will be apparent from theforegoing description. rhe vat 1S is lilled with black paint and the vat17 with red paint, for example. lith the switch member 32 in theposition shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus is set for dipping the articles,in this case the bundles of lath, into the black paint,--the drip boardcovering the vat 17 containing the red paint. The motor is started intooperation to drive the conveyor, and operatives, at the loading end ofthe apparatus, suspend the bundles of lath from the conveyor by means ofthe hook rods 73 as the conveyor passes before them. The speed of theconveyor is such that the necessary time for drying is allowed in thepassage oi the lath through the drying chamber 15. As the bundles oflath reach the rear unloading end of the machine they are removed.

It will be manifest that the travel through v the paint in the vat ofthe articles to be dipped,that is to say the dipping operation-isbrought about by reason of the travel of the conveyor with reference tothat vat with which it happens to be in operative relation at the time.

By the arrangement of the side walls ot the vats in parallel rela-tionwith the path of the conveyor as it carries the articles to be dippeddown on one side into the deepest part of the vat at the middle and thenwithdraws them upwardly on the other side` a minimum amount of paint isrequired for the vats, as will be manifest from a consideration of thedrawings.

Vhen it is desired to use the paint in the other vat 17, the drip board70 is moved over to cover the vat 18. rEhe supplemental switch section58 is detached from its connection with the rear end of the switchmember by removing the bolts G1 and is swung downwardly to an inclinedposition with the bar 55 resting upon the inclined frame members 59. Thebolts and nuts 59 are then applied to secure the bar to the saidinclined frame members 59. The pawl 52 is then swung from the positionshown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 4 and, by means o'l thecrank 50, operating through the shaft 47, pinions 19 and gear wheels 43,the switch member is rocked to depress. its

rear end and to bring the switch member as a whole into the positionshown in Fig. t, in which position it is locked by the pawl and ratchet52, 51.

In this movement ot' the switch member, the sprocket wheels 35, 36 atthe ends of the switch member roll idly, 'upon the sprocket chains ofthe conveyor,-those at the descending end, (in this case the sprocketwheels 35 at the rear end of the switch member,) acting tos depress theconveyor into a loop, with the bottom of the loop above the middle ofthe vat 17 and the sides of the loop inclined upwardly and away fromsaid middle along the supplemental track section 5a on the one side andalong the tracks 33 of the switch member on the other side.

Vfith the change in position of the switch member, the gear shift arm 68is operated by the arm G9 on the switch member and the link 682L toishift the change speed gearing to a slower speed required for dryingpurposes when the red paint is used. The apparatus is then ready fordipping in the vat containing the red paint.

To change the apparatus tor dipping in the vat containing the blackpaint, the opera.- tion of the switch member and associated parts justdescribed, is reversed to restore the parts to the position shown inFig. 2.

It will be understood that the improved apparatus is capable of use fordipping purposes in which any dipping media are used and wherever itsessential characteristics may make its use of advantage. It will thus beunderstood, that while in describing the invention, we have referred tomany details of construction and of arrangement, some of which might berequired in an apparatus designed 'for painting purposes only, theinvention is in no way limited thereto except as may be pointed out inthe appended claims.

lVe claim as our invention 1. In a dipping machine, a. traveiing convcyor for the support and dipping oi? the articles to be dipped, aplurality ot vats combined with said conveyor so that the travel throughone oie the vats ot the articles to be dipped is brougl-itabout by thetravel of the conveyor with reference to said vat when operativelyrelated to said conveyor, and means for operatively relating theconveyor and one or the other of the vats.

2. n a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor it'or the support anddipping of the articles to be dipped, a plurality oi' vats below saidconveyor, means whereby the conveyor and anyone otl the vats may bebrought into operative relation for dipping purposes, in which relationthe travel through a vat of the articles to be dipped is brought aboutby the travel of the conveyor with reference to said vat, and means forproducing relative movement between the vats and the path of theconveyor to change the operative relation of the conveyor from one vatto another.

3. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of thearticles to be dipped, a plurality of vats, anyone of which is adaptedfor operative relation with said conveyor, means for driving theconveyor, including a change speed mechanism, witha speed for each vat,and means for operatively relating the conveyor and one or the other ofthe vats.

4. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of thearticles to be dipped, a plurality of vats, anyone of which is adaptedfor operative relation with said conveyor, means for driving theconveyor, including a change speed mechanism, with a speed for each vat,means for operatively relating the conveyor and one or the other of thevats, and a gear shift member automatically actuated in the operating ofthe last named means.

5. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of thearticles to be dipped, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, meanswhereby the conveyor and anyone of the vats may be brought intooperative relation for dipping purposes, a motor for driving theconveyor, gearing, including a change speed mechanism for connecting themotor and conveyor, said change speed mechanism including a speed foreach vat, and means for producing relative movement between the vats andthe path of the conveyor to change the operative relation of theconveyor from one vat to another.

6. In a dipping machine, a traveling conveyor for the support of thearticles to be dipped, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, meanswhereby the conveyor and anyone of the vats may be brought intooperative relation for dipping purposes, a motor for driving theconveyor, gearing, including a change speed mechanism for connecting themotor and conveyor, said change speed mechanism including a speed foreach vat, means for producing relative movement between the vats and thepath of the conveyor to change the operative relation of the conveyorfrom one vat to another, and automatic means for shifting the changespeed gearing in the operation of the last named means.

7. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the suppo-rt of saidconveyor, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, said tracks having agap in the neighborhood of said vats, and a switch member with tracksinterposed in said gap and adapted to direct said conveyor to one oranother of said vats.

8. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, vats arranged in tandem below said conveyor, said trackshaving a gap above said vats,

and a switch member with tracks interposed in said gap and adapted todirect said conveyor to one or another of said vats.

9. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, a plurality of vats below said conveyor, said tracks having agap in the neighborhood of said vats, a switch member with tracksinterposed in said gap and adapted to direct said conveyor to one oranother of said vats, means for driving said conveyor including avchange speed gearing, and a gear shift mechanism operated by said switchmember.

10. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, vats arranged in succession below said conveyor, said trackshaving a gap above said vats, a switch member with tracks interposed insaid gap and adapted to direct said conveyor to one or another of saidvats, driving means for said conveyor including a change speed gearing,a gear shift member and mechanism operatively connecting said gear shiftmember with said switch member.

11. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, vats arranged in tandem below said conveyor, said trackshaving a gap above said vats, and a rocking switch member with tracksinterposed in said gap and adapted to bring said conveyor into operativerelation with either of said vats.

12. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, two vats arranged in tandem below said conveyor, said trackshaving a gap above said vats, a switch member with tracks interposed insaid gap and adapted to rock on an axis intermediate said two vats,means for rocking said switch member to bring the conveyor intooperative relation with either of said vats, and locking means for saidswitch member.

13. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, saidtracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in saidgap, said switch member having tracks disposed in different planes whichmeet in a line between said vats, means for rocking said switch memberabout said meeting line to direct one or the other set of tracks towardsthe one of the vats associated therewith, means at the ends of saidswitch member for causing the conveyor to conform to the path providedby the tracks of the switch member, and a device for locking the switchmember in operative relation with either of said vats.

14:. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, saidtracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in saidgap, said switch member having tracks disposed in diiiercnt planes whichmeet in a line between said vats, means for rocking said switch memberabout said meeting line to direct one or the other set of tracks towardsthe one of the vats associated therewith, sprocket wheels carried at theends ot' said switch member and engaging said conveyor from above, andmeans for locking the switch member in operative relation with either ofsaid vats.

15. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support ot saidconveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, each vathaving opposed walls inclined downwardly towards its middle, said trackshaving a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap andmounted to rock on an axis intermediate said vats, said switch memberhaving tracks disposed in planes intersecting at an angle equal to theangle between the proximate walls ot the two vats, and being capable ofa rocking movement to bring a set ot tracks into parallel relation withthe nearest wall of either vat, and means for locking said switch memberin either of said two positions.

16. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, each vathaving opposed walls inclined downwardly towards its middle, said trackshaving a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap andmounted to rock on an axis intermediate said vats, said switch memberhaving tracks disposed in planes intersecting at an angle equal to theangle between the proximate walls of the two vats, and being capable ofa rocking movement to bring a set of tracks into parallel relation withthe nearest wall of either vat, means for locking said switch member ineither of said two positions, and a supplemental switch section withtracks adapted to bridge the space between the first named tracks andthe tracks of the switch member in either position of said switchmember.

17. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks or the support of saidconveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, each vathaving opposed walls inclined downwardly towards its middle, said trackshaving a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in said gap andmounted to rock on an axis intermediate said vats, said switch memberhaving tracks disposed in planes intersecting at an angle equal to theangle between the proximate walls of the two vats, and beine' capable ota rocking movement to bring a. set of tracks into parallel relation withthe nearest wall or" either vat, means for locking said switch member ineither of said two positions, and

a supplemental switch section hinged to the ends of the iiist namedtracks nearest to the main switch member and adapted to bridge the spacebetween said hrst named tracks and the main switch member in eitherposition of said main switch member.

18. In a dipping machine, a conveyor, tracks for the support of saidconveyor, two longitudinally spaced vats below said conveyor, saidtracks having a gap above said vats, a switch member interposed in saidgap, said switch member having tracks disposed in dierent planes whichmeet in a line between said vats, rotary members carried at the ends ofsaid switch member and engaged with the conveyor from above, means forrocking said switch member about said meeting line to direct one or theother set of tracks toward the one of the vats asso-- ciated therewith,and a locking device adapted to hold the switch member in operativerelation with either of said vats.

19. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for thesupport of the articles to be dipped, a drying chamber through whichsaid conveyor travels, a plurality ot' vats located at the forward endof said drying chamber, any one of which is adapted for operativerelation with said conveyor, means for driving the conveyor, including achange speed mechanism, with a speed for each vat, means for operativelyrelating the conveyor and one or the other of the vats, and a gear shiftmember automatically actuated in the operating of the last named means.

20. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for thesupport of the articles to be dipped, a drying chamber through whichsaid conveyor travels, a plurality of vats located at the Jforward endot' said drying chamber, any one of which vats is adapted for operativerela-tion with said conveyor, means for driving the conveyor, includinga` change speed mechanism, with a speed for each vat, and means foroperatively relating the conveyor and one or the other of the vats.

21. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for thesupport of the articles to be dipped, a drying chamber through whichsaid conveyor travels, a plurality of vats below said conveyor at theforward end of said drying chamber, means whereby the conveyor and anyone of the vats may be brought into operative relation for dippingpurposes, a motor :tor driving the conveyor, gearing, including a changespeed mechanism for connecting the motor and conveyor, said change speedmechanism including a speed for each vat, and means for producingrelative movement between the vats and the path of the conveyor tochange the operative relation of the conveyor from one vat to another.

22. In a dipping and drying machine, a traveling conveyor for thesupport of the larticles to be dipped, a drying chamber through whichsaid conveyor travels, a plurality of vats at the forward end of saiddrying chamber below said conveyor, means whereby the conveyor and anyone of the vats may be brought into operative relation for dippingpurposes, a motor for driving the conveyor, gearing, including a changespeed mechanism for connecting the motor and conveyor, said change speedmechanism including a speed for each vat, means for producing relativemovement between the vats and the path of the conveyor to change theoperative relation of the conveyor from one vat to another, andautomatic means for shifting the change speed gearing in the operationof the last named means.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention, we ax oursignatures this 6th day of December, A. D. 1922.

JAMES H. DEAN. GEORGE W. BAKER.

